Jose "Pita" Epitacio Flores

Jose Epitacio “Pita” Flores, age 92, passed away on March 30, 2025. He was born on September 12, 1932, to Enrique and Carmen Flores in Mission, Texas. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, his two siblings and an infant grandson.

Pita was a fun and outgoing person. He was also wonderful salesman who believed that good customer service is the key to a successful business. He was a grocer and owner of the E. Flores Grocery & Market for 32 years. After selling his business, he worked as a salesman at Clark Chevrolet for about 20 years.

Pita worked hard to provide for his large family, but he still made time to help his community in various ways. He was an active life member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and served as Eucharistic minister and Lector. In addition, he liked to assist Fr. Philion to serve daily Mass at 6:55 am for many years. He also served as a member of the Mission School Board and the Mission Hospital Board years ago.

Pita’s favorite hobbies included playing golf with his lifelong friends and watching sports on TV. Later in life he decided that he really enjoyed gardening and took that up as a hobby. After retirement Pita volunteered at the Mission Regional Medical Center for 17 years. He helped take patients to different departments within the hospital in a wheelchair and enjoyed telling the patients jokes to help them relax when he noticed that they seemed stressed or anxious in anticipation of a procedure. Most of all he was the happiest when he was surrounded by all his family, especially his grandkids and great grandkids!

Pita is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Bernice Dillard Flores. He liked to refer to Bernice often as “the love of his life.” He is also survived by five adult children who will miss him terribly: Beatriz Sosa, Anna Flores Peña, Diana Flores, Reynaldo Flores and Ricardo Flores. Pita and Bernice were also blessed with 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited for visitation and Rosary on April 7, 2025 between 6 pm and 8 pm, with Rosary recitation at 7 pm at the Funeraria Del Angel funeral home, located at 3611 N. Taylor Rd, Mission TX 78573. The Funeral Mass will be officiated by Father Roy Snipes at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, located at 620 Dunlap Ave., Mission TX 78572 at 10:00 am on April 8, 2025. Interment will follow directly after Mass at Valley Memorial Gardens, located at 3605 N. Taylor Rd., Mission TX 78573.